The Betfred Derby at Epsom is set for this Saturday in what looks like an enticing Ballydoyle vs Godolphin dual as Auguste Rodin and Military Order are set to lock horns for respective trainers Aiden O’Brien and Charlie Appleby.
The race sponsorship is now in the hands of Betfred, one of our partner firms and we will provide best odds and best odds for this preview from Betfred, along with our remaining partners, Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor and Boylesports.
The Field
Based on Monday’s confirmation stage, the following horses are set to take their place for the Betfred Derby this Saturday. Best odds from our partner firms in brackets.
Adelaide River Aidan O’Brien (66/1, Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor)
Arrest John and Thady Gosden (7/1, Betfred)
Artistic Star Ralph Beckett (50/1, William Hill)
Auguste Rodin Aidan O'Brien (3/1F, Bet365, William Hill, Betfred, Bet Victor, Boylesports)
Covent Garden Aidan O'Brien (100/1, Bet365, William Hill, Betfred, Bet Victor, Boylesports)
Dear My Friend Charlie Johnston (100/1, Betfred)
Dubai Mile Charlie Johnston (14/1, Bet365, William Hill, Betfred, Bet Victor, Boylesports)
King Of Steel Roger Varian (100/1, Bet365, William Hill, Betfred, Bet Victor, Boylesports)
Military Order Charlie Appleby (9/2, William Hill)
Passenger Sir Michael Stoute (11/2, William Hill)
San Antonio Aidan O'Brien (33/1, Bet365)
Sprewell Jessica Harrington (11/1, Bet365, Betfred)
The Foxes Andrew Balding (12/1, William Hill, Betfred, Boylesports)
Waipiro Ed Walker (20/1, Betfred)
White Birch John Murphy (14/1, Bet365, William Hill, Betfred)
Auguste Rodin
The big concern for the Aiden O’Brien trained favourite Auguste Rodin is the flop performance in the recent 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. The excuses relating to the hampering 6 furlongs out however are valid, especially given the state of the ground as well.
The trainer was also pleased with the condition of the Doncaster Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes winner after the Guineas race and O’Brien maintains that Auguste Rodin is firmly on track for the Betfred Derby.
3/1 best with Bet365, William Hill, Betfred, Bet Victor, Boylesports.
Military Order
Trainer Charlie Appleby was reportedly delighted with Military Order’s recent Lingfield Derby trial win, where he saw out the trip well with something in hand. Military Order is of course a full-brother to 2021 Derby winner Adayar and will be looking to follow up with a similar result in this Saturday’s renewal. Best odds 9/2 with William Hill.
Passenger
This highly regarded entry trained by Michael Stoute had a desperately unlucky outing in the Dante Stakes at York last week. He didn’t make most of the break and found himself behind horses for most of the way and was simply squeezed for room when trying make a challenge.
Passenger subsequently stayed on for third but deserved much better and will certainly come on for the run. Our choice to win an astounding 7th Derby for trainer Michael Stoute. Best odds of 11/2 with William Hill.
The Rest & Best Outsiders
The Foxes
The King Power Racing team will certainly be looking for a distraction from the woes of watching their beloved Leicester City drop out of the Premier League last weekend. In the suitably named The Foxes, the Thai owners have a realistic chance of landing their first Classic with this Dante winner from last week at York.
He seems to have the right kind of battling qualities for this trip which he also showed when winning the Juddmonte at Newmarket last September. He was unlucky when beaten in the Craven Stakes last month. Definitely the each way choice of the race. Best odds 12/1 with William Hill, Betfred, Boylesports.
King Of Steel
Trained by Roger Varian, this entry faces a daunting task in this renewal of the Betfred Derby by not having had a run this season.
However, trainer Roger Varian has been near bullish regarding his chances by stating that he believes will run far better than the 100/1 he is currently priced at in the market. He has been working well through the spring by all accounts although he needs to improve somewhat based on his 7th behind Auguste Rodin in the Doncaster Vitality Derby. 100/1 best with Betfred.
Verdict: Passenger 5/1 with William Hill
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